It is a three hours drive in the North West of Kampala (Masindi district) and it is known as the largest Mahogany forest in East Africa.

Budongo forest is a habitant to the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda of which the main tourist sites are Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site and Busingiro Ecotourism site. Kaniyo Pabidi Ecotourism site is nestled within the boundaries of Murchison Falls National Parks composed of Mahogany trees and Iron wood.

The Kaniyo Pabidi ecotourism provides a sanctuary for Leopards, Buffaloes and Lions. The site is most enjoyable to visit in early mornings as you will meet forest creatures licking salt in the forest glades and the forest boasts River Waiga which provides for refreshment of the species of the forest.

The area is mostly forest woodland, savanna and riverine swamps and it is considered as one of the most ideal birding eco-regions in Uganda and is highly conserved for this purpose. The forest is drained by four small rivers which include; Waisoke, Wake, Sonso and Bubwa which drain their waters into Lake Albert.

The forest comprises of three important eco-systems basically formed to protect the chimpanzees and other endemic species and these ecosystems include; Sonso which is situated along the banks of River Sonso is the most important section of the forest reserve being a shelter to some 53 groups of chimpanzees that are not visited by tourists but used to do field research.

The remaining two sections of the forest reserve are Busingiro and Kaniyo-Pabidi which consist of many habituated chimpanzees which are tracked by the tourists.

Residents in Budongo forest

The forest reserve hosts a variety of bird species and wildlife species of which it is a habitant to over 280 bird species including; the yellow footed flycatcher and many other.

Wildlife species here include; duikers, forest pigs and Chimpanzees which are the major tourist attraction of the forest reserve together with the gigantic mahogany tree species.